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Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum)

Koreanspice Viburnum, Korean Spice Viburnum, Arrowwood

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Viburnum Carlesii,Korean Spice Viburnum, KoreanSpice Viburnum,
Viburnum Carlesii,Korean Spice Viburnum, KoreanSpice Viburnum,
Viburnum Carlesii,Korean Spice Viburnum, KoreanSpice Viburnum,

An incredible beauty for most seasons, Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice Viburnum) is a bushy, medium-sized, deciduous shrub noted for its heady fragrance, stunning snowball blooms, and attractive fall color. In spring, red flower buds open to fragrant, blushing pink flowers arranged in snowball clusters, 3 in. wide (7 cm). Elegantly held above the foliage, they gradually fade to brilliant white. They give way to oval, bright red fruits, borne in dense upward clusters, that ripen to black in late summer. The foliage of broadly ovate leaves emerges copper-colored and matures to dull dark green before turning glorious wine-red or dull burgundy shades in fall. A very rewarding shrub that is not only attractive but also tolerant to adverse conditions and fairly trouble-free.

  • Slowly grows up with an upright rounded habit to 4-8 ft. tall and wide (120-240 cm). Spreading with age, Koreanspice Viburnum usually branches close to the ground.
  • Winner of the GreatPlants award, which is a joint effort between the Nebraska Nursery, Landscape Association, and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum. Some cultivars (‘Aurora’, ‘Diana’) have been granted the prestigious Award of Garden Merit.
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates a wide range of soil types, acidity, and moisture but is happiest in moist, acidic, well-drained soils in full sun.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or in shrub borders, it makes striking hedges and screens and lovely foundation plantings. A great shrub for the perennial border too! Plant your Koreanspice Viburnum near high-traffic areas to enjoy its wonderful fragrance.
  • Attractive to birds!
  • Low maintenance, this plant has no serious insect or disease problems but watch for occasional leaf spot and powdery mildew.
  • Prune as required immediately after flowering. Cut older branches back to encourage growth.
  • Fruit if eaten, can cause a mild stomach upset.
  • Native to Korea and Japan.

Viburnum: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for Viburnum like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking shrubs.

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 4 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Adoxaceae
Genus Viburnum
Common names Viburnum, Korean Spice Viburnum, Arrowwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spread 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spacing 48" - 72"
(120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ (European Cranberrybush)
Viburnum odoratissimum (Sweet Viburnum)
Viburnum farreri (Farrer Viburnum)
Viburnum setigerum (Tea Viburnum)
Viburnum ‘Pragense’ (Prague Viburnum)
Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball Viburnum)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)
Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii (Mediterranean Spurge)
Allium cristophii (Star of Persia)
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ (Lavender)
Hydrangea macrophylla (Bigleaf Hydrangea)
Astilbe

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
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Viburnum – What Is Wrong With My Shrub?
Viburnum – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Viburnum: How to Grow and Care with Success
10 Creative Ways to Incorporate Viburnum in Your Garden
Why You Should Avoid Growing Invasive Viburnums
Native Viburnums: Ideal Shrubs for Your Garden
Viburnum
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum opulus (European Cranberrybush)
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum plicatum (Japanese Snowball)
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum dilatatum (Linden Viburnum)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 7
Heat Zones 4 - 8
Climate Zones 2B, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, A3
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Adoxaceae
Genus Viburnum
Common names Viburnum, Korean Spice Viburnum, Arrowwood
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spread 4' - 8'
(120cm - 240cm)
Spacing 48" - 72"
(120cm - 180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Viburnum
Not sure which Viburnum to pick?
Compare Now

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